Cylinder lock-key combination which includes a side bar; and a lock key

ABSTRACT

A cylinder lock-key combination includes a cylinder housing (2) and a plug (3) provided with a key slot (3a). A row of pin tumblers (5) coact with a side bar (6) in a manner to prevent the side bar moving to its release position unless the correct key (4) is inserted into its operative position in the plug (3). The side bar (6) is activated at the ends of the side bar by one or more driving pins (7) which coact with the key side surface and which are guided in the plug for movement at right angles to the plane of the key slot (3a) and which function to press the side bar to its locking position as the key is withdrawn from its operative position.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cylinder lock-key combination whichincludes a side bar, and more specifically to a cylinder lock-keycombination of the kind defined in the preamble of the following claim1.

The invention also relates to a key for operating such a combination.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,673 (Widen) describes a cylinder lock provided witha side bar and pin tumblers of the aforesaid kind, in which the bottomsurfaces of the rotatable pin tumblers are intended to coact with acoded, shouldered side part of the key. The coded surfaces engage with asegment-shaped part of the bottoms of respective pin tumblers, andcurved transition parts whose radii correspond to the radii of the pintumblers are provided between the coded surfaces of the key.

The side bar is spring-biased outwardly from the cylinder, intoengagement with a recess in the lock housing, this recess beingconfigured to urge the side bar into the cylinder plug upon rotationthereof, after having inserted the correct key into an operativeposition in the plug. The side bar includes a number of lugs havingrounded engagement surfaces which coact with waisted parts of the sidebar. In manufacture, the coded surfaces and the intermediate transitionsurfaces must be produced very accurately, and consequently the cylinderlock taught by this prior publication is comparatively expensive inmanufacture.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,852 (Gysin) teaches a cylinder lock with which thereis used a key which is provided on the side surfaces thereof withgrooves which, when the key is inserted to an operative position in theplug, coact with tumblers that have outwardly projecting pins whichengage in respective grooves. The tumblers of this lock do not coactwith a side bar. Moreover, the pins on the tumblers are subjected to arelatively high degree of wear, which is liable to jeopardize thefunction of the cylinder lock after long-time use.

Other examples of the state of the prior art with regard to lock keysare found in SE B 380,861 (Winkhaus) and AU B 371,883 (Prunbauer).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a cylinder lock-keycombination provided with a side bar in which it is ensured that theside bar will be moved positively, or forcibly, into its lockingposition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cylinderlock-key combination which can be manufactured simply and the mutuallycoacting, moveable parts of which will only be subjected to a smalldegree of friction, causing only a slight degree of wear to thesemoveable parts and achieving continued reliable function of thecombination over a long period of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination of theaforesaid kind which will function smoothly and effectively even indifficult environments, for instance when the lock is exposed tomoisture and/or cold.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cylinder lock of smalldimensions which will nevertheless provide an extraordinary large numberof possible combinations, therewith making it difficult to force thelock or to open the lock unless using a correct key.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects are fulfilled with an inventive cylinderlock-key combination of the aforesaid kind which is mainly characterizedby the features set forth in the characterizing clause of claim 1.

The side bar is thus moved forcibly, so as to ensure that it willfunction reliably. Furthermore, because the driving pins are guided formovement in the plug, jamming is prevented as the side bar is moved.

It is conceivable in some cases to provide only one single driving pin,although it is normally preferred to provide one driving pin at each endof the side bar.

The driving pins may optionally be surrounded by springs, so as tofacilitate and assist movement of the side bar to its locking position.

In order to ensure that the driving pins will function as intended, theends of the pins distal from the side bar will preferably engage in acorresponding recess or notch in the key when the key is fully inserted.The ends of the driving pins that enter the recess are preferablytapered conically to form a pointed tip, which facilitates the purposeof the driving pins to urge the side bar into its locking position asthe key is withdrawn from its operative position. In other words, thetips of the driving pins are moved up out of said recesses as the key iswithdrawn, therewith moving the side bar forcibly into its lockingposition.

In one embodiment, the pin tumblers are provided with a circular flangeand the side surface of the key is provided with a groove whose widthvaries along the length thereof for accommodation of the pin tumblerflanges.

When the key is inserted into its operative position, the tumblerflanges will be gripped by both sides of the groove in the side surfaceof the key, so that the pin tumblers are moved forcibly to respectivecode positions. At the same time, the tumblers are able to rotate in theplug, meaning therefore that the groove engagement surfaces will varyand therewith cause only a slight degree of wear on the tumbler flanges.

The friction between mutually coacting components is relatively small,particularly in those cases when the tumblers are not acted upon bysprings. This increases the length of useful life of the lock.

The forcibly guided movement of the tumblers means that the tumblersneed not be spring-activated. However, springs which, for instance,engage the tops of the tumblers to ensure that the tumblers will move todesired positions when the key is withdrawn may be provided.

In practice, the groove will preferably include parts which extendstraight and parallel with the key insertion direction and whichnormally define the code positions of the pin tumblers, andintermediate, angled transition parts of greater width.

This double engagement of the tumbler flanges, on both the top and thebottom surfaces thereof, results in more accurate positioning of thetumblers in respective code positions. The intermediate, angledtransition parts of the groove of greater widths offer only slightresistance to key movement when the key is inserted into and withdrawnfrom the plug.

The concept of the invention, however, also includes the possibility ofdefining one or more code positions in the angled transition parts ofthe key. Movement of the pin tumblers at right angles to the directionin which the key is inserted is very precise, insofar as the pintumblers take a definable position in the movement plane of the pins ineach key position. The provision of a code position in an angledtransition part renders it difficult to determine the code positions ofthe key.

The tip of the key may have a widening end-region adjacent the groove.This ensures that when the key is moved to an operative position in theplug, the groove will capture all of the pin flanges, irrespective oftheir positions. To this end, the end of the key may conveniently beprovided with a V-shaped recess or notch delimited by a correspondingV-shaped shoulder part which converges with the groove at the apex ofthe V.

In order to ensure reliable function, it is preferred that the side baris activated by one or more driving pins which coact with the sidesurface of the key and which are guided for movement in the plug atright angles to the plane of the key slot and which function to pressthe side bar out to its locking position when the key is withdrawn fromits operative position with the side bar in its release position.

In this connection, in order to ensure that the driving pins and theside bar will function smoothly and effectively, the straight, normalcode positions of the key groove are extended along a distance whichexceeds the radius of the driving pins, as in accordance with onepreferred embodiment of the invention. The pin tumblers will therewithremain in their code positions during the initial phase of withdrawingthe key, during which the driving pins, as they leave their respectiveapertures or recesses, will urge the side bar in a direction generallyat right angles to the key withdrawal direction.

Normally, these extended parts of the code positions will correspondroughly to the diameter of the driving pins, therewith ensuring that thedesired movement sequence is carried out correctly.

The driving pin aperture or apertures in the key is/are preferablyformed in conjunction with manufacturing the key blank. Thus, theapertures, or recesses, may be formed in direct conjunction withclipping the key blank from a metal plate.

However, instead of being provided with apertures or recesses of thiskind, the key blank may be provided with depressions or hollows whosedepths correspond to or exceed the penetration depth of the member, e.g.the tongue, on the side member in corresponding members, e.g. thewaisted part of respective tumblers. This will ensure that the side barcorrectly leaves its release position and is forcibly guided to itslocking position as the key is withdrawn. The key cannot be turnedunless these apertures, recesses or depressions are correctlypositioned. The apertures, recesses or depressions may be differentlyplaced, e.g. for the classification of different series of cylinderlocks.

The plug space can be utilized to the best effect when the other side ofthe key is also grooved for coaction with a further row of pin tumblersand a side bar in the plug.

It will be understood that the number of code combinations for the lockconcerned can be increased exponentially in this way. It is alsopossible to allow the edge surface of the key between the two groovedside surfaces thereof to coact with pin tumblers of a more or lessconventional kind, thereby further increasing the combinationpossibilities of the lock.

In the case of one particular application of the invention, the key slotprovided in the plug can accommodate two different keys each forcoaction with respective pin tumblers accommodated in each plug half,each of these pins, in turn, coacting with a respective side bar in theaforedescribed manner.

In such cases, a lock of this kind can be used when two persons areauthorized to open a lock in unison, each of these persons having one ofthe keys in his/-her charge. In this case, it is impossible to open thelock unless both persons are present with their respective keys.

The invention also relates to a key of a combination of theaforedescribed kind, the main characteristic features of the key beingset forth in the characterizing clause of claim 9.

An inventive key of the kind defined in claim 9 will enable the pintumblers to remain in their code positions during the initial phase ofwithdrawing the key. This special key function will ensure that the lockas a whole will operate smoothly and efficiently, namely because thedriving pins urge the side bar in a direction towards the lockingposition before the pin tumblers are permitted to move from their codepositions.

The positioning of the apertures, recesses or depressions can serve asan extra code.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference toexemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive combination, comprising alock cylinder and an associated key.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the lock cylinder shown in FIG. 1, takenon the line II--II.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lock cylinder shown in FIG. 2, takenon the line III--III.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the key shown in FIG. 1, taken on the lineIV--IV.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lock cylinder shown in FIGS. 1-3subsequent to having inserted the key and turning the key through 90°.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5, subsequent tocommencing withdrawal of the key from its operative position.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 with the key insertedand subsequent to commencing turning of the plug.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pin tumbler.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and illustrates amodified embodiment in which the plug has two rows of pin tumblers,wherein the tumblers of each row are intended to coact with a respectiveside bar, and in which the key slot is intended to accommodate two keys.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a key blank for the manufacture of a key of acombination constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the cutting of a groove in a key blank according toFIG. 10, such as to provide the blank with a side code.

FIG. 12 illustrates the configuration of the groove in the vicinity ofthe tip of the key.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view corresponding to the view of FIG. 3 andillustrates a modified embodiment in which the cylinder plug is providedwith double rows of pin tumblers and associated side bars and also toptumblers.

FIG. 14 is a detail sectional view in larger scale and shows how a firstembodiment of a driving pin acts on the side bar for movement of theside bar to its locking position upon withdrawal of the key.

FIG. 15 is a corresponding detail sectional view of another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the driving pin used in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cylinder lock-key combination which comprises of alock cylinder 2 and a key 4. The lock cylinder 2 accommodates a plug 3provided with a key slot 3a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plug 3 accommodates a row of pin tumblers5 whose axes lie in a plane which is parallel with the plane of the keyslot 3a and spaced from said plane. The pin tumblers 5 are moveable insaid plane and can be twisted or turned around their axes.

The pin tumblers 5 are provided at their respective bottom ends with aflange 5a which is received in a groove 4f in the side surface 4c of thekey 4. The configuration of the groove will be described in more detailherebelow.

The plug 3 also includes an aperture 3c which accommodates a side bar 6.The side bar 6 coacts with the pin tumblers 5 and is moveable in saidaperture in a plane that extends at right angles to the plane of the pintumblers, although it may define an angle other than a right anglerelative to this plane.

The side bar has a narrowing forward part 6a which is accommodated in acorrespondingly shaped aperture 2a in the lock cylinder 2. One long sideof the side bar has a tongue 6b which is intended to engage a waistedpart 5b in respective pin tumblers 5. FIG. 3 shows the side bar 6 in itslocking position, in which the tongue 6b does not engage a waisted part5b, therewith enabling the side bar 6 to freely leave its lockingposition. The pin tumbler 5 will not take a position in which the sidebar 6 is able to move to its release position until the correct key 4has been inserted in its operative position in the slot.

The key 4 has an upper edge surface 4b which may be optionally providedwith a code (not shown) in a conventional manner, for coaction with anadditional pin tumbler (not shown) mounted in the plug.

The key 4 includes a key grip 4a and a shoulder 4d that forms an upperdefining surface of a side part 4c in which the aforesaid groove 4f isformed for coaction with the flanges 5a on respective pin tumblers 5.

The width of the groove 4f varies and the groove includes a number ofstraight code parts 4e and intermediate angled transition parts 4g whosewidths are greater than the code parts 4e.

The groove widens outwardly at the tip of the key, as indicated at 4h,so as to ensure that the flanges 5a of the pin tumblers 5 will beengaged by the groove.

When the key 4 is inserted, the groove 4f will engage both the upper andthe lower sides of the flanges 5a on the pin tumblers 5 and thereforeforce the tumblers to move to their respective code positions.

The plug 3 is provided with bores 3e in the region of the ends of theside bar 6, for accommodating driving pins 7 having heads 7a whichengage respective end-parts of the side bar 6. The ends of the drivingpins 7 which face towards the key slot 3a narrow conically and areintended to be received in apertures 4i in the end regions of the bladepart of the key 4 as the side bar moves to its release position.

The driving pins 7 are also intended to move the side bar 6 forcibly toits locking position. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a lock cylinderaccording to FIGS. 2 and 3, with the key inserted and turned through90°. In this operational state of the lock, the side bar 6 is in itsrelease position and the conical ends 7b of the driving pins 7 arelocated in the recesses or notches 4i in the key 4.

FIG. 6 is a view which corresponds to FIG. 5 and which illustratesinitial withdrawal of the key from its operative position. Thus, the key4 has been withdrawn through a distance which slightly exceeds theradius of the driving pin 7. The tips 7b of the driving pins havetherewith left the notches 4i in the key while moving at right anglesthereto and urging the side bar 6 outwards to its locking position. Thecylinder housing 2 includes an elongated aperture 2a for accommodatingthe side bar 6 in its locking position.

The driving pins 7 thus ensure that the side bar will be forcibly guidedto its locking position as the key is withdrawn from the key slot 3a. Inorder to ensure that the pin tumblers 5 will not move from their codepositions upon initial withdrawal of the key, the straight codepositions 4e of the groove 4f are extended so that all pin tumblers 5will remain in their respective code positions until the side bar hasbeen pressed outwardly from its locking position by the driving pins 7.

The positions of respective waisted portions 5b of the pin tumblers 5and the position of the tongue 6b on the side bar 6 may be varied.

FIG. 7 shows the key 4 inserted to an operative position in the lock,wherein the pin tumblers 5 automatically take their coded positions inwhich the tongue 6b of the side bar 6 is able to enter the waistedportion 5b. As the plug 3 is turned by the key, the side bar 6 ispressed inwardly to the release position shown in FIG. 7, in whichposition the plug 3 can be turned.

FIG. 8 shows the pin tumbler 5, its flanges 5a and its waisted portion5b. The illustrated pin tumbler also presents a number of "false"waisted portions 5c of smaller depth than the waisted portion 5b, torender forcing of the lock difficult.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment in which two different keys must beinserted in the divided key slot 4a' in order to open the lock. Each ofthe keys (not shown) coacts with a pin tumbler/pin tumbler arrangementaccording to the earlier Figures. Alternatively, a single key in whichthe key blade is divided into two parts can be used instead.

FIG. 10 illustrates a key blank from which a key for the lockillustrated in FIGS. 1-8 can be produced. The key blank is clipped frommetal plate and has a key grip and a blade which is provided with thetwo notches or recesses 4i for coaction with the driving pins. The frontend of the key blank has a V-shaped recess or notch 4h which forms awidened end-part of the groove formed in the side surface of the keyblade.

FIG. 11 illustrates the manufacture of a key from a key blank accordingto FIG. 10, and shows milling of a groove 4f of the type concerned withthe aid of a milling tool 10 driven by drive means 11. The thickness ofthe milling tool 10 corresponds to the width of the groove 4f in theregion of the straight code parts 4e. As the milling tool and/or the keyblank move relative to one another, transition parts 4g are formedbetween the code parts 4e, these transition parts 4g having a greaterwidth than the code parts 4e. The widened end region of the groove 4f isillustrated in more detail in FIG. 12, where the V-shaped parts of thegroove are referenced 4k.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cylinder plug 3 having doublerows of pin tumblers 5 and double side bars 6, wherein the edge part ofthe key (not shown) is also intended to coact with top tumblers 12, 13.

FIG. 14 is a detail sectional view in larger scale and illustrates afirst embodiment of the driving pin 7, provided with a conical tip 7b.FIG. 14 also illustrates the manner in which the driving pin coacts withthe recess 4i in the key 4, so as to press the side bar 6 into itslocking position as the key is withdrawn.

The driving pin 7 is guided for movement in the bore 3e in the plug 3and the head 7a of the driving pin is accommodated in a recess formed bytermination of the tongue 6b at a distance from the edge of the side bar6.

As the key is withdrawn in the direction of the arrow shown, the drivingpin is moved at right angles to this direction, by engaging between theedge of the recess 4i and the conical tip 7b of the driving pin. Theside bar 6 is therewith pressed into its locking position.

Although not shown, the driving pin 7 may be mounted within a spring(not shown) to assist this movement.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, there is used instead adriving pin 7 which has a flat tip 7b, shown in perspective in FIG. 16.This driving pin is caused to move in a corresponding manner, as the key4 is withdrawn. In this case, the tongue 6b of the side bar 6 extends upto the edge of the side bar and the head 7a of the driving pin 7 has agroove in which the tongue 6b engages, so as to hold the driving pinagainst unintentional rotation. Movement of the driving pin 7 of thisembodiment may also be assisted by means of a spring, not shown.

In the aforegoing, the side bar 6 and the coacting driving pins 7 havebeen described with a reference to a cylinder lock which is providedwith flanged pin tumblers for coaction with a key having a grooved sidesurface. It will be understood, however, that in accordance with theinvention, driving pins may coact with many other types of side bars andassociated keys configured in other ways. One example in this respect isthe cylinder lock taught by the aforesaid prior publication U.S. Pat.No. 4,393,673 (Widen), the side bar of which can coact with driving pinsin principly the same manner as that described above. This also appliesto side bars in other types of cylinder locks. The recesses 4i in thekey whose positions correspond to the respective positions of thedriving pins 7 will function as an extra lock code.

I claim:
 1. A cylinder lock-key combination in which the cylinder lock(1) comprises:a) a lock cylinder which is housed in a cylinder housing(2); b) a plug (3) which is accommodated in the cylinder housing (2) andhas a key slot (3a) and a row of pin tumblers (5) whose axes lie in aplane which is substantially parallel with the plane of the key slot anddistanced therefrom, wherein the pin tumblers are operative to move inthe pin tumbler plane and rotate about their axes when activated by thekey (4); c) a recess (3c) provided in the plug (3) and accommodating aside bar (6) which coacts with the pin tumblers (5) and is moveable in aplane extending substantially perpendicularly to the pin tumbler plane;d) a groove (2a) in the cylinder housing (2) for receiving the side bar(6) in its locking position; e) a lock element (6a) comprising a tongueon the side bar (6) for coaction with a corresponding lock element (5b)comprising one of a groove and a waisted portion on the pin tumblers insaid tumbler row in the release position of the side bar, so that theside bar is operative to leave the groove (2a) in the cylinder housing(2) as the plug (3) is turned; and said key comprising: f) a code formedon one side surface of the key and functioning to coact with the pintumblers (5) in said tumbler row so that subsequent to inserting the keyto its operative position in the key slot (3a), each pin tumbler willoccupy a position which enables the side bar (6) to move to its releaseposition and the plug (3) to be turned; wherein g) the side bar (6) isactivated by at least one driving pin (7) which coacts with the key sidesurface and which is guided for movement in the plug perpendicular tothe plane of the key slot (3a) and which when the key is withdrawn fromits fully inserted position with the side bar (6) in its releaseposition presses the side bar to its locking position.
 2. A combinationaccording to claim 1, wherein the end of the at least one driving pin(7) distal from the side bar (6) is received in a correspondingdepression (4i) in the key (4) when the key is in its operativeposition.
 3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the pintumblers (5) have a circular flange (5a) and the side surface of the key(4) has a groove (4f) whose width varies along its length and whichreceives the flanges of respective pin tumblers.
 4. A combinationaccording to claim 3, wherein the groove (4f) includes straight parts(4e) which extend parallel with the key insertion direction and whichnormally define the key code positions, and further includesintermediate, angled transition parts (4g) of greater width than saidstraight parts (4e).
 5. A combination according to claim 4, wherein acode position is also defined by one or more of said transition parts(4g).
 6. A combination according to claim 4, wherein the straight,normal code positions (4e) of the key groove (4f) are extended over adistance which exceeds the radius of respective driving pins (7).
 7. Acombination according to claim 2, wherein a depth of the depression (4i)in the key (4) which coacts with the at least one driving pin (7)corresponds to or exceeds the depth to which said tongue (6b) on theside bar (6) engages corresponding waisted portions (5c) of respectivepin tumblers (5).
 8. A combination according to claim 3, wherein theother side of the key (4) is also provided with a groove for coactionwith a further row of pin tumblers (5) and a further side bar (6) in theplug (3).
 9. A key pertaining to the combination according to claim 1,whereina) a side surface of the key presents a plurality of depressions(4i) whose positions correspond to the positions of respective drivingpins (7) when the key is inserted to its operative position in the plug(3); b) the code located in the key side surface and intended forcoaction with pin tumblers (5) in the plug includes straight codepositions (4e) whose number corresponds to the number of pin tumblers;and wherein c) the code positions (4e) are extended through a distancewhich exceeds the radius of the driving pins and which preferablycorrespond approximately to the diameters of said driving pins.
 10. Akey according to claim 9, wherein the pin tumblers (5) have circular pintumbler flanges (5a) and wherein at least one side surface is providedwith a continuous groove (4f) having a number of defined code positionparts (4e) which extend in the key insertion direction and the number ofwhich corresponds to the number of pin tumblers (5) in the pin pintumbler row in the plug (3); and in that located between the codeposition parts (4e) are transition parts (4g) whose breadth is greaterthan the breadth of the code position parts, the breadth of whichcorresponds to the thickness of the circular tumbler flanges (5a) andthe width of which transition part (4g) is adapted to the circular pintumbler flanges (5a).